Wednesday, March 08, 2017 10:52 AM |
Anonymous

March 7, Washington, D.C.– Oregon Sens.Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill that would target the affordable housing crisis by strengthening and expanding the federal low-income housing tax credit.

“This legislation provides a solid foundation for the major remodel that America’s housing policy needs in response to the lack of affordable housing for people of all ages,” said Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. “Building on the proven success of the low-income housing credit ensures that more Americans can have a roof over their heads where they can be safe.”

“I’ve heard from Oregonians who have to dedicate the majority of their income to housing or who are forced into homelessness because they simply can’t meet rising costs of housing,” Merkley said. “This legislation will begin to address the housing costs that have spiraled far beyond workers’ wage increases, and provide permanent homes for more American families.”

Read the full release here: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-low-income-housing-legislation

Wednesday, March 08, 2017 9:43 AM |
Anonymous

More than a 100 each from both sides turned out at a public hearing Thursday, March 2, at the State Capital. SALEM — North Portland resident Coya Crespin melted into tears Thursday as she recounted to legislators the ordeal of experiencing a mass eviction. Continue reading...

Tuesday, March 07, 2017 3:04 PM |
Anonymous

The Oregon Asset Building Coalition is working to help create a space for asset builders and financial capability service providers to come together to share best practices, identify community needs, and create a more unified vision for improving financial well-being for Oregon Communities. We hope folks will join is at the Salem Convention Center on Tuesday, April 18th, immediately following the Oregon Opportunity Network Spring Industry Conference from 4:30-7. This will be an opportunity for us to network, build relationships, and start to plan the path forward.

We started this conversation in February and we want to keep building our momentum. If this is the first you are hearing about this effort we welcome you to join us and tell a friend! We hope everyone who works to improve the financial lives of Oregonians will join this movement. Learn more about the event on April 18th and register to attend here.

Tuesday, February 07, 2017 6:08 PM |
Anonymous

That’s the perspective of a growing coalition of organizations looking to modify Oregon’s mortgage interest deduction, or MID, to make it more equitable for moderate- to lower-income homeowners.

These are the homeowners who need it, they say, not the state’s top 20 percent of income earners, who claim more than 60 percent of the state subsidy in terms of dollars.

“At a time when we are facing a severe housing crisis in Oregon, the biggest housing subsidy in our state is mostly giving money to the most well-off Oregonians – people who already have a home, who are in secure shelter for themselves and really do not need any help from the state to afford a home,” said Juan Carlos Ordóñez, communications director with the Oregon Center for Public Policy, or OCPP. “Reforming the MID is something that should have been done a long time ago. But Oregon’s housing crisis certainly adds urgency to this.”

The OCPP is joining the Oregon Opportunity Network, a statewide coalition of affordable housing and low-income services, in spearheading legislation for the 2017 legislative session in Salem.

Read the full article here. Update: since this article was published, the coalition proposal changed to increase the cap on the MID to $15,000. And, the coalition has grown with new partners the Children's Agenda, Coalition of Communities of Color, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Enterprise Community Partners, the League of Women Voters of Oregon, and the Welcome Home Coalition!

Monday, February 06, 2017 10:33 AM |
Anonymous

Dear OHCS Partners,

I'm excited to share that earlier today the Housing Stability Council approved funding recommendations for the Local Innovation and Fast Tract (LIFT) NOFA. As you may remember, this is the first set of awards under the new LIFT affordable housing program and the first use of Article XI Q bonding as a funding source. We funded12 projectsproviding 965 Oregon families with a place to call home. Continue Reading...

Wednesday, February 01, 2017 3:30 PM |
Anonymous

The end of the year is a time for reflection, both on the year past and the year to come; it’s also a time when we ask for your support. There’s a pressing need for us to do both here Continue Reading...

Wednesday, February 01, 2017 3:08 PM |
Anonymous

The Mercy Corps Northwest VISTA Program is currently recruiting organizations that are interested in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA member for the service year of August 2017- August 2018. VISTA members build the capacity of organizations, delivering new innovations to end poverty in Oregon. MCNW hopes to recruit between seven and nine organizations for this cohort. Read more...